Newton
Serving Newton & Jasper County Since 1902
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Friday, December 6, 2013
www.newtondailynews.com
Newton, Iowa
NASCAR CEO talks about speedway purchase
OBITUARIES
By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor
Ronald Martin, 59 Daylis Smith, 65 Sylvia K. Trotter, 98
INSIDE TODAY
Education
FFA benefits from ‘Bushels for Ag’ program at NHS Page 8A
During a season-ending press conference with the regular motorsports media Thursday, NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France discussed a number of subjects, including last week’s announced purchase of Iowa Speedway. France said NASCAR has always felt the Newton racetrack was “an attractive asset” in a NASCAR-centric region of the United States. He said, seeing Iowa Speedway go through management and ownership changes over the last few years, it has been keeping its eye on the track’s status. When neither International Speedway
Corporation or Speedway Motorsports Corporation were able to purchase the track, NASCAR stepped in. “[T]hey run multiple events for multiple series, they’ve had a lot of success,” he said. “The public companies that are in the space, for various reasons, the timing wasn’t right for them, but the time was right for us. So from a NASCAR standpoint, we’ll get to give some stability to a facility that needs that, number one.” France said NASCAR has a deep pool of talent to draw from to help run the facility. He also noted this isn’t the first time NASCAR or his family have owned FRANCE See Page 3A
NASCAR Photo/Getty Images NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France spoke to the media as part of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas Thursday.
Downtown churches to host 18th annual Christmas Walk
Sports
Cardinals pin Panthers in mat season opener
By Daily News Staff
Page 1B
Weather
Zach Johnson/Daily News Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Darrell Sarmento (right) and Skiff Medical Center CEO and Chamber President Steve Long (second from right) handed out awards during the Business Award Ceremony Thursday night at the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party.
Early Christmas Presents
Saturday
High 14 Low 9
Chamber celebrates, awards businesses of Newton By Zach Johnsong Daily News Staff Writer
Saturday
High 22 Low 8 80% chance of snow, 2-4 in. likely
Weather Almanac
Thur., Dec. 5 High 17 Low 1 No precipitation
Also: Astrograph Page 5B Classifieds Page 3B Comics & Puzzles Page 6A Dear Abby Page 6A Opinion Page 4A
By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor
Public Notices Page 3B
Our 112th Year No. 140
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A Newton man facing two burglary charges for separate incidents in February and May of this year pled guilty to reduced charges Tuesday in Jasper County District Court. Daniel Jensen, 50, was charged with both first-
degree burglary, as well as going armed with intent, and third-degree burglary. The first two charges stemmed from a February incident in which he entered the rural home of Larry Mick, attacking the homeowner with a claw hammer. The second stemmed from a May incident in which he at-
In a matter of months, Vinnie Hoskins went from walking across the stage as a 2013 graduate of Newton Senior High School to graduating from both basic training and advanced individual training as a member of the U.S. Army National Guard. “A couple of National Guard recruiters came to my school
CHAMBER See Page 5A
VETERAN See Page 5A
tempted to force his way into the home of Cassie Pence in Newton. In a plea agreement accepted Tuesday by District Court Judge Martha Mertz, Jensen pled guilty to thirddegree burglary in the case involving the February inciCOURT See Page 5A
WALK See Page 2A
year. Marketing hasn’t been just to promote their business, but they have been doing their own fundraising campaign, which they exceeded their goal,” Sarmento said “Always involved with being a Chamber Ambassador and always a partner in the community.” The City of Newton was another multiple award winner, which won 1st Runner Up in Social Media and 2nd Runner Up in Staff Development. Management of Analyst for the city of Newton Natalie Umsted accepted the Social Media Award. City Administrator Bob Knabel and City Clerk Katrina Davis, who also serves as the city’s Human Resource Director, accepted the award for Staff Development. “They’re not a business, but an active member in our Chamber, one of their employees is a Chamber ambassador,” said Sarmento. “They have done an incredible job on Facebook, reaching out into the community.” Sarmento gave an update on Main Street. The Main Street
Jensen sentenced to 5 years in prison in two burglary cases
Obituaries Page 3A
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It was a very cold night, but with warm greetings and celebration at the annual Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas party and award ceremony held at the Innovation Center. The Christmas party brought a number of the Chamber business owners and employees to celebrate the season and the end of 2013 before preparing for the business of the new year with the upcoming 116th annual business dinner. “We’re going with a whole new format by approving the new Chamber Board members at the chamber breakfast to be held Jan. 9 over at DMACC,” Executive Director Darrell Sarmento said. “At the dinner we will discuss the future vision of Newton with different things we’re working on from the Main Street to the City Comprehensive Plan, housing initiatives, NDC, and NHDC is working on for us to look forward for the following year and for following years.”
It was the second annual Business Awards Ceremony for the Chamber. The Chamber had awards in eight categories that includes; Curb Appeal, Non-Profit, Social Media, Marketing, Small Business Retail, Large Business Retail, Staff Development, and Community Champion. The multiple award winner on the night included Skiff Medical Center, which tied for 2nd Runner Up in Curb Appeal and 1st Place in the Social Media. Skiff Medical Center CEO Steve Long was on hand to accept the awards for Skiff Medical Center. “They do an incredible job on community building and share on other great things happening in the community,” Sarmento said “We just can’t say enough on what they do for our community.” Newton Village was another multiple award winner tying with Skiff on Curb Appeal for 2nd Runner Up, and winning first place in the Marketing Award. Activities Director Annette West received the awards on behalf of Newton Village. “They were runner up last
In Newton, eight downtown area churches have united together again in hosting their 18th annual Christmas Walk on Sunday at 3 p.m. The event will start at the Salvation Army Citadel at 310 N. Second Ave. E. At each church, participants will hear a reading of Scripture, share in a prayer and join voices singing a traditional Christmas carol such as, “Angels We Have Heard on High” or “Joy to the World.” The eight stops on this Chrismas Walk in order are: Salvation Army Citadel, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church,
From Cardinal to Cavalry Scout: Hoskins chose to serve his country after high school By Ty Rushing Daily News Staff Writer
MINE Task Force arrests two on drug charges By Daily News Staff Two Newton men were arrested Wednesday afternoon after members of the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force executed a drug search warrant in the 600 block of East 10th Street South. Officers arrived at 602 E. 10th St. S. at approximately 1:45 p.m. to execute the search warrant. The Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office’s drug-detecting dog, Nuke,
assisted with the search, both in the home and on the property. Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia were seized. As a result, Jace Skylar Troen and Conner Alan Hayden, both 20 and of Newton, were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and failure to affix a drug tax stamp, Class D felonies, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.